Biochemistry 3

Question 1

What is tertiary structure?

Answer 1

Tertiary structure describes the overall folding and arrangement of the amino acid chain in space.

Question 2

What is isoelectric point?

Answer 2

Surface of a protein is affected by pH
pH where net surface charge = 0 is the isoelectric point

Question 3

What are Van Der Vaal’s forces?

Answer 3

Energy associated with a single bond is low
Sum of Van Der Waal’s forces is important
Close packing of R groups

Question 4

What is the hydrophobic effect?

Answer 4

Hydrophobic amino acids at the core of a protein are brought together because surrounding water molecules have stronger interactions (hydrogen bonds) than hydrophobic aa’s and water
Hydrophobic effect is most important in defining the tertiary structure of a protein

Question 5

Describe the hydrophilic exterior

Answer 5

Composed mostly of hydrophilic and acidic/basic R-groups